LAHORE, June 10: The Lahore High Court Bar Association has condemned the arrest of Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Gilani by Indian authorities under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. In a joint statement issued by them on Monday, LHCBA president Chaudhry Muzzammil Khan, vice-president Khawar Ikram Bhatti, secretary Shahid Mahmood Bhatti and finance secretary Tanvir Mahmood Chaudhry recalled that they had warned that the new law would be used by the Indian government against Kashmiris, Indian Muslims and politicians opposed to the extremist Hindu rule. They urged the Pakistan government to protest the arrest and continue supporting the Kashmiris.

YUSUF RAZA: In a separate statement, Mr Bhatti criticized the conviction of former National Assembly speaker Yusuf Raza Gilani and ascribed it to the absence of parliament. He said the military government was out to tarnish the image of politicians and of democratic institutions.